House of the Dragon Series 2 Episode 5: Regent

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House of the Dragon Series 2 Episode 5: Regent

The chaos and craziness of the Dance of the Dragons just keeps going! Episode 5 sees the aftermath of a truly bloody battle, with Rhaenys felled and King Aegon’s life hanging in the balance; both houses are left wounded and grieving. We also start to see tensions rise inside the Green and Black houses, as loyalties are questioned and friend becomes foe.

Coping with grief

Learning the news of his fallen wife, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), sits empty in his home, adding Rhaenys (Eve Best) to a haunting list of the family he has lost. His wife, son and daughter now await him in the afterlife, while he is left alone.

Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), also grieves the loss of her ally and friend. Having known her through her lifetime and overcoming their differences, Rhaenys stood by Rhaenyra and believed her to be the only rightful heir to the Iron Throne; her sacrifice showed her loyalty and dedication to watching Rhaenyra ascend.

Chaos in King’s Landing

Now that Vhagar had slaughtered the Black’s most powerful dragon, Meleys, the people of King’s landing saw Meleys’ head paraded through the streets – an act that would not be seen as one of strength, but of cruelty. What Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) thought would bring joy about recent victory, actually saw people questioning the sense behind this act, as they believe Dragons to be Gods, and certainly a being whose death should not be made light of.

A wagon was seen within the line of the parade which, unbeknownst to the people of King’s Landing, contained the wounded and barely breathing body of King Aegon (Tom Glynne-Carney). Having spotted Aegon’s dagger in Aemond’s (Ewan Mitchell) possession, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) quickly took leave to see her eldest son. Horrified, she asks if he will live, and is met with an unfortunate and uncertain “I cannot say”.

Aemond, showing little regard for his brother’s wellbeing, takes it upon himself to rule in his absence. Aemond’s actions in the battle of Rook’s Rest were seen by Criston Cole and Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) hints that she knows of them too as she asks Aemond if it was ‘worth the price’. Members of the Green house including Criston, Helaena and even Alicent are beginning to question Aemond’s actions and true intentions.

After Coryls’ tactical blockade cut off the city’s supplies and is driving the people to want to leave King’s Landing. Faith in the crown is questioned further when the guards refuse to let anyone leave, closing the gates and insisting that by order of ‘Aemond’ they should return to their homes; a mistake that is picked up on by members of the crowd.

Women and the right to rule

With King Aegon unable to sit the throne, Aemond takes on the responsibility. This comes after Alicent declared she would rule in his absence as Regent; a declaration that was seen as a mere request by the small council – one that would be denied. The council believe that it would be more prudent for a man to be seen to rule in a time of war.

In Dragonstone, Rhaenyra is also subject to this ideal as she is told that the ‘gentler sex’ does not know much about battle, and therefore should not be left to make all the decisions about their strategies in this time of war. Confiding in Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), she speaks of how the small council speak around her and her frustrations of how as the sovereign cannot fight just because she was not born a son.

Mysaria’s strategy

After Rhaenyra expressed her want to do more than just sitting idly by while the men of her court make the decisions for her, Mysaria tells her that she should not underestimate the people. She speaks of the people of King’s Landing, and the struggles they currently face under the rule of the Greens; that she should not underestimate them. Mysaria hints that she can help and takes leave to meet with a maiden. She takes to King’s Landing and meets with Alicent’s former maid Dyana – could her plans be the turning point in the Dance of the Dragons?

Daemon’s loyalty

As his dreams continue, we see a new character emerge. Daemon (Matt Smith) makes love to a woman who tells him that he should have been born first so that he could rule. This is followed by Alys (Gayle Rankin) discussing Daemon’s lack of knowledge about his Mother, continuing the torment Harrenhal has brought into his life and mind. She also encourages Daemon’s thoughts that he is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, furthering the idea that Daemon is no longer loyal to Rhaenyra, but is loyal only to himself. He even reveals that he wishes for Rhaenyra only to rule at his side, while he is named King.

The rise of the Blacks

Having entered the start of warfare with no army, Rhaenyra sent Jacaerys (Harry Collet) and Baela (Bethany Antonia) to gather allies and strengthen their forces. Both have now succeeded in swaying many houses to bend their knee and pledge their allegiance to the ‘rightful Queen Rhaenyra’. All loyalties will be given based on the promise of Dragons and protection to their lands and castles.

Jace even goes as far to plan a trip to Harrenhal to see Daemon as he currently resides here and has taken ownership of the castle. Jacaerys plans to question Daemon’s loyalty to Rhaenyra, a feat that he fears his Mother would not approve, and yet Rhaenyra herself later sends word to Daemon to ask the same question.

As their army and allies become larger and stronger, Rhaenyra takes the step to ask Coryls to become her hand in this time. A request that was voiced to him by his granddaughter Baela, who encouraged him to accept the honour.

In the final scene of episode 5, we see Rhaenyra and Jace confiding in one another about their lack of action in the war. Rhaenyra then goes on to telling her son that while she is proud that he has gained them allies, they still do not have enough Dragon riders - Dragons are reserved for Dragon Lords, which they are now lacking. Jace suggests that they should look for those who have been cast out that still have the same blood as Dragon Lords, this is unheard of, and yet, could be just what the Black’s need to win the war and gain back the Iron Throne.